Novablast 5
Bouncy neutral daily trainer suited to easy miles and long runs.
Available in Men's and Women's sizing.
- Daily Trainer
- Neutral
- Max Cushion
- 8mm Drop
- 255g
- Best forShopping a road (or treadmill) tool and can keep trail or race-day jobs in other shoes when.
- Runner typeNeutral gait
- SurfacesRoad, Treadmill
- Release dateDec 2024
Overview
Bouncy neutral daily trainer suited to easy miles and long runs.
A versatile, cushioned daily trainer suited to high-volume road training and long runs, but not the best choice for runners wanting an aggressive race-day shoe or technical trail grip.
- Soft energetic ride
- Good for high easy mileage
Kitletics Review · 8.8 Very Good
A versatile, cushioned daily trainer suited to high-volume road training and long runs, but not the best choice for runners wanting an aggressive race-day shoe or technical trail grip. It earns a look for a soft, energetic ride on high easy mileage. Skip it if you need a stability shoe for most of your training.
Read Kitletics Review →At a glance
- Weight
- 255 g
- Drop
- 8 mm
- Heel Stack
- 41 mm
- Cushioning
- High
- Stability
- Neutral
- Terrain
- Road, Treadmill
- Plate
- No
- Category
- Running Shoes
- Best for
- Shopping a road (or treadmill) tool and can keep trail or race-day jobs in other shoes when
Performance scores
- Comfort9.3
- Energy8.8
- Cushion9.4
- Versatility8.6
Overall score: 8.8
Pros & cons
Pros
- Soft energetic ride
- Good for high easy mileage
Cons
- Not a stability shoe
- Less ideal for fast intervals
Key technologies
FF BLAST PLUS ECO
FF BLAST PLUS ECO
AHAR rubber (partial)
AHAR rubber (partial)
How it fits different uses
| Use case | Score |
|---|---|
Easy Runs Excellent for easy and recovery-paced road miles. | 91 |
Daily Training Still an excellent soft daily trainer when discounted. | 90 |
Long Runs High suitability for long runs. | 88 |
Tempo Runs Serviceable for occasional tempos; not a workout specialist. | 76 |
Trail Running Not recommended for trail running. | 22 |
Kitletics Review
A buying decision based on structured product data and evidence — not invented star ratings or fake user reviews.
Kitletics Review
Verdict
A versatile, cushioned daily trainer suited to high-volume road training and long runs, but not the best choice for runners wanting an aggressive race-day shoe or technical trail grip. It earns a look for a soft, energetic ride on high easy mileage. Skip it if you need a stability shoe for most of your training.
Pros
- Versatile enough for multiple easy/long run types
- Lively cushioning without a race plate
- Good for high easy mileage
Cons / Trade-offs
- Not as fast as dedicated performance or race shoes
- May feel tall for runners preferring ground feel
- Limited width options versus some competitors
- Skip it if you need a stability shoe for most of your training.
Best for
- Shopping a road (or treadmill) tool and can keep trail or race-day jobs in other shoes when.
- Soft energetic ride.
- Good for high easy mileage.
Not ideal for
- Those looking for Your must-haves conflict with a trade-off: less ideal for fast intervals.
- Those looking for technical trail grip or a dedicated race plate as the primary job.
- People who need a stability shoe for most of your training.
- Those looking for Less ideal for fast intervals.
Performance breakdown
- Comfort9.2
- Ride9.0
- Cushioning9.2
- Stability7.8· Neutral platform
- Responsiveness8.6
- Fit8.2
- Grip8.0
- Durability8.0
- Versatility8.4
- Value8.2
Scale: Poor (1–3) · Fair (4–5) · Good (6–7) · Very Good (8) · Excellent (9–10)
How it performs
Fit
Sizing feedback across reviewed sources is generally true-to-size in standard width, with a medium toe box and secure midfoot for most neutral runners. Wide-foot runners should trial fit or look to brands with broader lasts — ASICS width options for this model remain limited.…
Ride
Independent reviews consistently describe a soft, rockered and energetic ride on easy paces. The high-stack FF Blast+ foam and rocker geometry favour smooth transitions on daily and long runs. The platform is less precise for sharp track intervals than dedicated tempo shoes.
Midsole
FF Blast+ Max (manufacturer naming) is positioned as a light, energetic foam under a tall stack. In practice that means more bounce and protection on easy miles than a firm trainer, without the aggressive plate snap of race-day supershoes. Runners who prefer ground feel may find.…
Upper
The engineered knit upper is designed for breathable lockdown on road use. Reviewed sources generally find it comfortable for daily mileage; it is not a heavy trail or winter shell. Fit notes centre on standard volume rather than an oversized toe box.
Key specs that matter
| Spec | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 255 g | Affects how lively or protective the shoe feels on easy miles. |
| Drop | 8 mm | Influences stance and load distribution — preference, not a quality score. |
| Heel Stack | 41 mm | Contributes to cushion depth under the heel on landings. |
| Forefoot Stack | 33 mm | Affects forefoot protection and how the toe-off feels. |
| Stability | Neutral | Indicates guidance geometry versus a pure neutral ride. |
| Terrain | Road, Treadmill | Defines primary surface suitability (road, trail, mixed). |
| Width Options | Standard | Official widths available — separate from subjective toe-box feel. |
Should you buy it?
Buy if
- You're shopping a road (or treadmill) tool and can keep trail or race-day jobs in other shoes when.
- You want soft energetic ride.
- Good for high easy mileage
Skip if
- Your must-haves conflict with a trade-off: less ideal for fast intervals.
- You need technical trail grip or a dedicated race plate as the primary job.
- Skip it if you need a stability shoe for most of your training.
- Less ideal for fast intervals
Alternatives to consider
BrooksGhost 16Why choose this instead: Want better value?
8.5 · Very GoodFrom € 125Compare →
HOKAClifton 9Why choose this instead: Want more cushion?
8.7 · Very GoodFrom € 110Compare →
ASICSGEL-Nimbus 27Why choose this instead: Want more cushion?
8.6 · Very GoodFrom € 190Compare →
Compare with
How we assessed it
We put this guide together from published specs and similar products in the same job. We have not personally tested this product unless the page says we did. Scores are meant to help you decide — affiliate links do not change the verdict.
Review type: Expert Research Review.
Read how we review products →Compare with
View full comparison →
Specifications
- Weight
- 255g
- Drop
- 8mm
- Heel Stack
- 41mm
- Cushioning
- High
- Stability
- Neutral
- Terrain
- Road, Treadmill
- Plate
- No
Geometry
| Weight | 255 g |
|---|---|
| Heel Stack | 41 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 33 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm |
Ride
| Cushioning | High |
|---|---|
| Cushion Feel | Soft |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Energy Return | High |
| Flexibility | Moderate |
| Ride Character | Rockered |
Construction
| Upper | Engineered mesh |
|---|---|
| Midsole | FF BLAST PLUS ECO |
| Outsole | AHAR rubber (partial) |
| Plate | No |
| Plate Material | None |
Use
| Terrain | Road, Treadmill |
|---|---|
| Training Types | Easy, Long, Recovery |
| Recommended Distance | Daily, Half, Marathon |
| Surface | Asphalt, Treadmill |
| Weather Suitability | Dry, All Season |
| Race Legal | Yes |
Fit
| Width Options | Standard |
|---|---|
| Arch Support | Medium |
| Grip | Road |
| Durability | Moderate |
| Breathability | High |
Other
| Fit / Sizing | Men, Women |
|---|
Novablast family
Newer: Novablast 6 →
Where to buy
Showing offers for Netherlands. Prices may change at the retailer.
ASICS Official
in stockBrand DirectNLLast checked 12 September 2026€ 130Check price
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Sources & evidence
Transparency behind this Kitletics Review — not a substitute for the buying decision above.
Verified specification
Stack, drop and foam naming taken from manufacturer materials.
Verified 12 September 2026
Editorial research
Kitletics editorial synthesis
Strengths/weaknesses synthesised from public independent reviews and category norms. Not a personal wear-test.
Verified 12 September 2026
Independent expert reviews
Independent running-shoe press synthesis
Cross-checked published lab and reviewer notes on ride softness, rocker and daily-trainer placement.
Verified 12 September 2026
Aggregated public feedback
Retailer and community sizing feedback
Aggregated public sizing and width feedback — not Kitletics personal wear-testing.
Verified 12 September 2026
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FAQ
- Is the Novablast 5 a good first running shoe?
- Yes for neutral beginners who want a soft, energetic daily trainer. Runners who need stability or wide widths should compare Ghost and Nimbus options.
- Can I race a marathon in the Novablast 5?
- Some runners do, but plated tempo/race shoes generally score higher for marathon racing. Novablast 5 shines as a daily and long-run shoe.
- Is the Novablast 5 a stability shoe?
- No. It is a neutral daily trainer. Runners who need guided stability should look at dedicated stability models rather than Novablast.
- How does the Novablast 5 compare with the Gel-Nimbus?
- Novablast is typically more lively and versatile for mixed easy/long pacing; Nimbus leans softer and more protective for easy miles. See the full Kitletics comparison for structured differences.
Product data verified 12 September 2026. Prices checked 12 September 2026.
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